Cycling UK Forum

In 2014,I rode the west coast of France following the Velodyssee (http://www.velodyssey.com) from French/Spanish border at Irun to Roscoff, then ferry to Plymouth. I too cruised to Santander, from Portsmouth. To get from Santander to Irun I put my bike on the express bus. (http://www.alsa.es/en/travel-plans/the-santiago-trail) Departed Santander around 8.30 hrs, in Irun 13.00hrs. As for the bike, removed panniers and secured front wheel to frame. Then just wrapped the whole lot well it in cling film ! Used up two rolls bought from a nearby supermarket.
No problems. I just had to stow it in undercoach hold myself. Alsa advised this method of wrapping for transporting bike when I travelled with them on my return from Santiago de Compostela to Santander the previous year. Tickets bought in UK via their website. Alsa is the Spanish subsidiary of...National Express. Could this method of conveying a bike be applied to their UK network ?
Hope to add photo later of bike ready for transit.

Cycled upstream/south 3 years ago. No internet access to help in search for caming facilities.

Was directed to WSV Worms, http://www.wsv-worms.de the canoe/rowing and boating club in the port area. Stayed several days, no disturbance from nearby small port or river traffic, passing 24 hours a day. All facilities available to me, including restaurant. Deposit required for key to showers, staff very helpful. Very close to town centre for food supplies and The town was also very important because of Martin Luther who defended his case against the emperor Charles V in Worms.

Understand other rowing clubs on Rhine offer camping facilities for travellers, by bike or on water.

When you get to Hook of Holland, don't forget to vist the Eurovelo fingerpost situated on the beach. Approach the Atlantic Wall Museum from the east, turn right and next left. Then head northwest for about 800+m. Can be viewed on Googlestreet

Hope this is of help.

I've just picked up your search for information about touring shoes and prop stands. I've always admired the way our mainland fellow cyclists are able to park their bikes with the minimum of fuss and wanted to be able to do the same. If you visit my post
'Why so few touring bikes have prop stands?' of 18 September 2009, I asked for similiar information and attached photographs of my findings. Extensive searches and visits to cycle shops and UK catalogues produced no answers. I discovered a German Mail Order Cycle company Rose GMBH and found everything a bike and cyclist needs, and more. No, I don't speak or know German!

I am no good at creating links so just search on rose.de then enter the site and click on their ecatalogue. Their main 2011 catalogue page 541 will provide you with some results. I bought a hinterbaustander 'Universal' €12.50 plus postage. It arrived a few days later and does excellent service on my MTB with rear disc brake. I have also fitted a 'non adjustable' single leg type to my rim brake touring bike and was so useful on my 3,800 km Pilgrim Ride this summer from South Wales to Santiago de Compostela and beyond. It often supported bike and luggage weighing 30kg plus. All my riding, including my Camino, is done wearing trainers which I sometimes cover with overshoes in wet conditions.

I will shortly be cycling from Le Havre to Vezelay - and eventually to Santiago de Compostela - via Rouen and Giverny, to visit Monets Gardens. Am looking for a quiet route, without too much heavy traffic, out of Le Havre then follow the Seine to Rouen. Is there a Seine Cycleway, like the Danube Cycleway? All suggestions would be welcome.

I am looking for a prop stand like the ones illustrated on the attached photographes I took. One was seen belonging to a German rider during my visit to Riva Del Garda in northern Italy and the other seen in Bala north Wales but again on a touring visitor from Denmark. I am looking for one with the sliding extension that will allow it to fit and clear the rear disc brake assembly. Why are the mainland Europeans so far head in their thinking?

Picking up on the previous comments, what a great opportunity lies ahead using the experiences that Andy Bond, the President and CEO of ASDA, will encounter during his LeJog and Store Visit Ride.

Like the rest of us, I'm sure he will be treated as normal cyclist by other car and road users so get him to take the lead and get ALL ADSA drivers whether delivering to their stores, suppliers delivering to their depots and vans doing their Home Delivery to undergo a Cycle Aware Training Scheme. With the right level of input and push, it could be used as an industry standard for all working drivers, even specifying in supply/delivery contracts the use of Cycle Aware accredited drivers only.